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Pomegranate peel extract is an effective agent against MDR bacteria
Abdulaziz Alqahtani1, Alzhraa Ali Mohamed2, Irfan Ahmad3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 61413, Abha, 9088, Saudi Arabia. ayali@kku.edu.sa.
Abstract:
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are one of the major public health threats facing humanity. Infections with MDR strains are difficult or impossible to treat with standard antibiotics leading to severe illnesses and even deaths. The spread of MDR bacteria has necessitated the search for alternative approaches that tackle MDR pathogens. Natural plants can be utilized as alternative therapeutic agents against the rise of MDR bacteria. In this study, we aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of pomegranate peel extracts (PPE) against MDR clinical isolates. A total of 9 clinical isolates (8 MDR and 1 non-MDR clinical isolates) were collected and examined for their susceptibility to PPE. Using the zone of inhibition assay, 4 isolates (S. aureus, three MRSA isolates, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and Acinetobacter baumannii) were sensitive to PPE. In Broth assay, 4 mg/ml PPE significantly reduced the growth (S. aureus, three MRSA isolates, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and Acinetobacter baumannii), while 40 mg/ml PPE either significantly reduced or completely inhibited the growth of the isolates. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPE against S. aureus and MRSA-88 was 10 mg/ml. This study showed the potential of PPE as an alternative compound for treating infections caused by PPE-sensitive MDR bacteria.
Insights
Pomegranate peel extracts show antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This natural compound offers potential for treating infections caused by resistant pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a significant global health threat, leading to untreatable infections.
- The rise of MDR strains necessitates the exploration of alternative antimicrobial agents beyond conventional antibiotics.
- Natural products, such as plant extracts, represent a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies against MDR pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of pomegranate peel extracts (PPE) against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- To determine the susceptibility of various MDR bacterial strains to different concentrations of PPE.
- To identify the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPE for specific MDR bacterial species.
Main Methods:
- Collection and characterization of clinical bacterial isolates, including both MDR and non-MDR strains.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the zone of inhibition assay to assess PPE's effectiveness.
- Broth dilution assays to quantify bacterial growth inhibition and determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPE.
Main Results:
- Pomegranate peel extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity against key MDR pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Significant bacterial growth reduction was observed at 4 mg/ml PPE, with complete inhibition at 40 mg/ml for susceptible isolates.
- The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPE against S. aureus and MRSA-88 was determined to be 10 mg/ml.
Conclusions:
- Pomegranate peel extracts exhibit significant antimicrobial properties against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- PPE holds potential as a natural, alternative therapeutic agent for combating infections caused by susceptible MDR strains.
- Further research into PPE could lead to the development of novel treatments for challenging bacterial infections.
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